MEN'S SPRING TRENDS 2013

Spring is a kick-off of color and patterns.  Add vibrancy to your looks to appear crisp and fresh.  Pair a spring colored shirt, belt, or shoes with   Prints are a huge men's trend.  Large prints work well when based in a neutral color, such as white, pink, or gray and with a colored print on top.  Wear a printed shirt alone to make a statement or layer it under a jacket or sweater with the collar and cuffs out.  

White is a must have color for spring.  Looks crisp in pants and shorts, but mix in white in leather jackets and belts as well.  Lightweight jackets are a chance to show your flare.  Look for design elements such as zippers.  Bright color jackets in green, blue, and coral are a hit, but navy and white are also on trend for spring.  

Must have pants for spring include white denim (straight leg), light gray and white pants.

Spring Colors:  Layer your look for spring.  White, light gray, and blue pants work well with bold colors such as yellow, emerald green, turquoise blue, and sapphire blue.

Peter Millar Cotton & Cashmere Sweater, $125

Neutral Looks:

Calvin Klein

Prints:

Robert Graham "Brig" Shirt, $228

INC International Concepts Shirt, $59.50

Lightweight Leather Jackets:  White, light gray, pewter, and bone are the colors to have for spring.  Jackets should land at your hips, not longer.  

  

BOSS Hugo Boss, $1295

 

Michael Kors Faux Leather Moto Hipster Jacket, $195   Michael Kors Preforated Leather Jacket, $895

   

Theory Leather Jacket, available at Lost Boys DC, $995 

Lightweight Jackets:

Helly Hanson "Hayden" Jacket, $139.98

  

Robert Graham "Violas" Windbreaker, $168  Michael Kors Leather Trim Zip Jacket, $295

 

Want more style tips for spring?  Contact Divine Style DC!

LOOK CHIC AT ANY AGE...SWEATERS AND TOPS

Every woman deserves to look and feel good at any age.  But styles change as you get older and what you want to display of your body and emphasize.  Draping, fabric, prints/patterns should flatter your figure.  Dolman sleeves are ideal to drape and flatter your neckline, chest, and shoulders.

INC International Concepts Striped Cardigan, $43.99

The textured sweater and the intricate design on the neckline and shoulders create interest on top while  lengthening your frame.  Draped fabric works well to hide tummy's.  

Alberto Makali Eyelash Sweater, $152

Woven/varying textures create interest for the eye.  The button on this cardigan sits at your skinniest point and flows outward so this is figure flattering.  Wear it with leggings or skinny pants or a dress.

Curio Mix Knit Cardigan, $158

Add COLOR to your look.  While black and gray are slimming, they also accentuate your age and make changing hair color stand out.  Color makes you look fresh and younger!

The neckline and sleeves of this dress are fabulous for women as they get older as it slims you to the waist and hides arms/neckline.  Add a fun animal print belt and textured tights.  Boots or flats work great for this look.  Depending on your height, the length of the dress should come right above your knees.

Chelsea & Theodore Cashmere Belted Dress, $99


Ralph Lauren Belt, $179



Here's to looking chic at any age!

XOXO,
Divine Style DC

MEN'S VEST'S...STRUT YOUR STUFF ON THE WEEKENDS OR TO WORK IN STYLE

From casual cool to trendy for work, a vest is just the trend to wear this fall and winter.  Vests are a versatile garment for men to wear to work with dress pants and a button down, either with a tie and buttoned, or without a tie tuck in the shirt with a modern belt and vest unbuttoned.  To style it for night or the weekends, pair it with denim, sleek boots, and a button down with the vest open or buttoned up.  Belts, watches, and bracelets give this look the stylized edge.

 

 

Trends in vests include textured fabric, tuxedo and leather piping elements, contrast stitching, and colors such as gunmetal gray, dark berry, and navy blue.  Add a sheen for a dressier look!

Marc Ecko Men's Vest, $17.99 (L-2XL)

INC International Concepts Taverner Vest, $29.99 (S-XXL)

Marc Ecko Gray Pin Striped Vest, $79.50 with 15% off (S-XXL)

John Varvatos Star USA Double Layer Vest, Burnished Olive, $228

John Varvatos Star USA Zip Pocket Vest, Bordeaux, $198

INC International Concepts Black Stripe Vest, $21.99

Marc Ecko Waxed Cotton Hood Vest, $36.99 (S-XXL)

DATE NIGHT LOOKS FOR GUYS

Whether you are married, have a girlfriend or boyfriend, or are in the singles scene, having the right look for your dates can take your relationship farther.  Every guy wants to look good when going out on the town.  

Night on the Town- try a blazer with a lightweight fitted shirt underneath.  Pair it with dark denim for a chic look or going to bars/restaurants.  If you are headed somewhere dressier, try it with slim fit trousers.

I would pair this Michael Kors Dip Dye Linen Blazer with dark jeans, a black belt with an edgy buckle or a black Hermes belt, and a white or black fitted shirt.  This linen blazer is lightweight and perfect in the summer heat when you still want to look hip.

Michael Kors Linen Blazer, $295

Go cool and chic with an an all white look.  Pair a white fitted blazer with white pants and a cool belt.  Add a pale colored shirt for a more neutral look or make it pop with a bold color such as bright pink or turquoise.

Calvin Klein Washed Blazer, $178

DSqaured2 Seersucker Blazer, $678

 

Dinner/Drinks/Movies- look good wearing a cool casual shirt.  Pockets on the chest add interest to that area and add a design element.  Rolled up cuffs keep you cool and look stylish.

Calvin Klein Chambray Roll Up Casual Shirt, $59.99

Concerts/Music Vibe- this look is a little more hipster.  Casual, cool jeans, a lightweight button down shirt and a vest worn unbuttoned with a belt give you the right look.  Also try a linen vest with a fitted t-shirt and pants.

INC International Concepts Lenny Linen Vest, $29.99

John W. Nordstrom Linen Vest, $59.90 (3 colors available)

What will you be wearing on your next date night?

TRENCH COAT TRENDS FOR SPRING

A Trench Coat should be a staple in every woman's wardrobe.  But a trench coat does not have to be the longer knee length version that you have seen before.  Find lengths that work for your body shape, and the clothing you wear.  No matter what your shape is, a belt at the waist will accentuate your waist and when cinched, makes it appear smaller.  

It is the time of year when women are wearing dresses and skirts daily for work, often layered with a jacket for the morning or evening.  The key is knowing your skirt length and the appropriate length your coat should be.  If wearing a skirt that comes to mid-thigh (2-3 inches above the top of the knee), opt for a coat that is slightly longer than your skirt by at least an inch or one that is more cropped to hip length.  This gives the eye areas to look at and makes you appear longer .  If worn with a coat right above the hemline, it looks like you aren't put together correctly and you didn't match your hemlines.

Three trends for spring in trench coats are:  Color, Metallic, and Prints.  If you only plan to have one trench coat, I would recommend going with a more versatile style versus a print or bold color.

Metallic

AK Anne Klein Metallic Trench, Gunmetal $199             INC International Concepts Belted Trench Coat, $99.50

     

Color-find a color or style that you like.  Most coats are mimiced by numerous brands.  As an example I found a Michael Kors coat for around $100 and a Burberry version that looks almost identical in shape and color (though the fabric and buttons are nicer on Burberry) for $1,400.

Burberry Brit Hip Length Metallic Trench Coat, $750

 

Bebe Tulip Trench Coat, $139                                              Tommy Hilfiger Green Trench, $124.99

  

MICHAEL Michael Kors Taxi Yellow Trench Coat, $110     Burberry London, $1,405

  

Prints- the key to prints is finding colors/patterns that you enjoy and will be versatile.

Burberry Trench, $795

 

 

Replace belt with a wide hot pink patent leather belt, bright yellow, or kelly green belt.

Dino Direct Belted Polka Dot Trench, $67.69

 

MOMMY LOOKS....CASUAL CHIC

Ladies bodies change after they've had a baby and they no longer can fit in to what they used to, or your life is now so busy with child activities that your old wardrobe just doesn't work.  The idea behind looking and feeling fabulous as a mom is to have a few quick easy pieces to pull on that make you look like you spent a long time getting ready.  I've also added how you change the outfit from daytime with the kids to a night out...and always be casual chic.

The first look is a long tunic top or sweater and leggings.  Very easy to pull on in the morning when you are rushing.  The idea is that the top has interesting design or color to draw others attention.  This also hides any markings from your children.  Macy's Alfani Long Sleeve Patterned Sequin Tunic on sale for $51.75.  Shown in the berry color.  Or get two tops and choose another Alfani Sequin Tunic in a Grey Color Block pattern, which is very on trend for $51.99 from Macy's.  Pair this with a great pair of black leggings, and some flat black riding boots or a fun pair of flats.  Change the top and the shoes to have different looks.  This great pair of Cole Haan boots is leather in the front and stretchy ultra suede in the back with adjustable straps to make skinnier or enlargen as needed for your leg shape.  Cole Haan Air Whitley Buckle Strap boot, available at Nordstrom's for $229.90.  Add a fun black flat.  I chose one by Giuseppe Zanotti for $595.  Anything with a little design or interest makes the shoe more fun.  

         

Another option is to do a dolman sleeved long top with skinny pants or leggings as seen below.  I like this look as mom's on the go won't get dirty with a dark colored top, but you are moving away from the jeans or black leggings look.  You can wear this at home without the boots and add them if you are going out for the day with the kids.  To make it sexier for when your husband or significant other comes home, or to change it to a date night outfit, add high heel suede boots or black stiletto's and a long necklace.  This is the INC International Concepts Ponte Seamed Skinny Pull On Pants for $49.50 and the INC International Concepts Dolman Sleeve Boat Neck Tunic for $49.50 both available at Macy's. 

      

For an edgier mom look, try real or faux leather leggings.  Or change out of your regular leggings and throw a pair of these on when going out for a date night or night on the town with friends.  These are Faux Leather Leggings by International Concepts from Macy's for $49.50.

 

Another look to try is a sweater and cropped or ankle length jeans.  Shown is a metallic tunic sweater by INC International Concepts for $69.50 and cropped skinny pull on pants in white for $59.50.  I know you are thinking...white?  That is crazy.  If you aren't comfortable try it with navy.  Wear with silver flats during the day or flip flops once it is warm enough.  If going out at night, add silver high heels or nude color and silver bangles and big silver earrings and a cocktail ring.

Add a cute flat by Chloe for the daytime excursions such as park visits and field trips.  Chloe 'Zoe' ballet flat, $520, at Nordstrom's.

The last look will be a layered look.  This is a pair of nice dark denim jeans (no mom jeans ladies...see my blog about denim if you need ideas), a short or long-sleeve t-shirt top, and a cardigan with flats or boots.  The point of this outfit is that you can wear just the shirt with the jeans if home painting and running around, but add the cardigan when leaving the house or for dinner when your significant other comes home.  Shown below is a MICHAEL Michael Kors Open Front Cardigan for $69.50.  The pop of color from the t-shirt is what brings this alive.  I would also add a chunky necklace to jazz up the outfit.

Halogen, Tahari, Michael Kors, Pure Amici are just a few of the designers who make great sweaters or cardigans for this option.

I can't wait to see all you casual chic mom's out around town!